Knots have spread across the globe like language, religion, germs, and exotic species. Evidence indicates that Cro-Magnon man, in his primitive state of development, was capable of tying simple knots. It is sailors, however, that spread knots around the globe on trade and conquest routes. To that end, it's been speculated that the chronicles of Spanish civilization could be decoded by unraveling the history of the Spanish woven knot. If you're as nuts about knots as we are, check out these links:
Hikers, fisherman, paddlers all tie knots. Monkey's Fist, Zeppelin Bend, Surgeon's Loop, and Constrictor Knot are only a few of the many, many knots in existence.The art of tying knots is well known in small circles of fisherman, sailors, hikers, and paddles, and can sometimes make little sense to the rest of us; like any craft or science, there's plenty of knot jargon to learn. GORP has simplified it to get you started.
Knot Terminology
The working end is the end used to tie the knot, the middle section is called the standing part, and the other end is called the standing end. The standing part when doubled is called a bight, until it is crossed over itself and becomes a loop.
Knots and Bolts
A knot is any loop or entanglement of flexible material that is intentionally or unintentionally created; securing two ends of the same material. Strength is measured by comparing breaking-strength with the same rope unknotted. Insecure knots slide unintentionally and will not withstand stresses and strains. Slide-and-grip friction knots absorb energy and at the same time safeguard knot and line. A knot tied incorrectly can be deadly. Physics and mathematics' principles underlie the strength of knots.
 A bend joins to separated bits of cordage.
A hitch attaches a line to a rail, a post, another line, or a line to itself.
The Stuff Used to Tie a Knot
Cordage (the generic, all encompassing term) is measured in centimeters or millimeters. A rope for special purpose is referred to as a line — for example: clothesline, bowline, stern line, etc. And the smaller, informal stuff is called cord, string, or twine. It's the lay of the rope, the tension and friction of twisting fibers right and left, that gives it its form and strength. Synthetic-fiber ropes have pretty much replaced natural-fiber ropes for better or worse. Natural-fiber ropes, like synthetics, tend to be stronger when wet, but natural-fiber eventually rots. However, synthetics don't quite have the grip that natural-fibers have — they're slippery — ending in formerly trusted knots becoming less trustworthy. Synthetics, though, have introduced the knot-tying world to color-coding.
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